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Ortigas Malls celebrate Halloween with pets, costumes and TikToks

ORTIGAS MALLS are celebrating an all treats no tricks Halloweek Mask-erade from October 23 to 31. Visit Greenhills, Tiendesitas, and Estancia to take part in games, prizes, and promos. There are also stay-at-home options for the celebration.

Get a Treats No Tricks loot bag for every P2,000 single or accumulated receipt from any Greenhills, Tiendesitas, or Estancia store from Oct. 23 to 31. This includes orders from My Home Dasher, which is a personal shopper service of Ortigas Malls.

The Ortigas Malls will also be holding the Halloween Nook Photo Contest, in which participants can take a socially distanced selfie at any Ortigas Mall Halloween Nook for a chance to win more goodies. The selfie must be posted on the customer’s public social media profile between Oct. 25 and 30 with the hashtag #OrtigasMallsHalloweek2020 to qualify.

There will also be a Hooman and Pet Costume Contest. Mall visitors this week can celebrate Halloween with their pets by dressing up in matching costumes and posting the photo with the hashtag #OrtigasMallsHalloweek2020. Only three winners who post from Oct. 26 to 30 will win from each mall.

Finally, there is the TikTok Makeup Challenge for those who would rather stay at home. They can win prizes by posting a Halloween-themed makeup transformation video on TikTok. Follow the Ortigas Malls’ TikTok account and tag #OrtigasMallsHalloweek2020 on the video from Oct. 28 to 30.

Visit the Ortigas Malls’ Facebook pages for more updates and announcements.

TCCCI readies to roll out 9 new Chevrolet, MG models in 2021

By Kap Maceda Aguila

THE COVENANT Car Company, Inc. (TCCCI), the official and exclusive country distributor of Chevrolet and Morris Garages (MG), recently marked its 11th and 2nd anniversaries, respectively, since taking the helm of the two auto brands in the Philippines.

A digital press conference with motoring media was led by TCCCI President and CEO Atty. Albert Arcilla, who expressed gratitude for the market trust of the two marques under the company’s aegis. “We are immensely grateful for the continued confidence of the Filipino market,” he said, and announced that a total of nine new models will debut here next year.

MG is set to being in “a new MPV and a new SUV,” the RX8 SUV, and a pure-electric vehicle variant of the ZS; Chevrolet will unveil five: the all-new Suburban, all-new Tahoe, the eighth-generation Corvette, and two undisclosed vehicles.

Atty. Arcilla rued how it is “hard to go out to celebrate” during this time, but reiterated how grateful he is that the industry is once again moving. “It’s easy to have just been on Park,” he underscored.

The executive reiterated how TCCCI, appointed by General Motors Southeast Asia Operations “to manage the full business operations for Chevrolet in the Philippines,” has been facing up to the challenges of the pandemic. “We know that it is already difficult for (our customers). We want to make sure that they have quick access to us for any of their concerns.”

Chevrolet Philippines presently has 23 dealerships — seven in Metro Manila and 16 across other regions. To more keenly address unique needs during this time, the company has rolled out a suite of digital services and programs toward more convenient, contactless service. The Chevrolet Service e-Advisor delivers at-home initial vehicle diagnosis via video call, My Chevrolet Connect mobile app provides the practical management of vehicle service schedules, and Chevy Live Chat promises quick and real-time customer support.

In a media release, Chevrolet Philippines said it is welcoming test-drive requests and vehicle ownership inquiries through its website, www.chevrolet.com.ph, and is set to unveil a virtual showroom in November. The “Shop. Click. Drive.” portal “is designed to simplify the process of purchasing a Chevrolet without leaving one’s home.” Atty. Arcilla revealed that TCCCI has been working in coordination with its dealers in preparation for the rollout of the digital service.

Meanwhile, Chevrolet’s ongoing “Ride to a Fresh Start” features all-in down payment offers for as low as P38,000 or zero-interest plans for the Colorado, Trailblazer, Trax Premier, Spark, Sail and Malibu.

As with Chevrolet, BuyAnMG.com is set to go live soon, according to Atty. Arcilla. “We’ve already coordinated with dealers,” he said in response to a question from “Velocity.” He shared that there are many steps toward establishing the portal — up to the payment option. Reservations and purchases on the portal are powered by Paymongo Philippines, Inc. — an established Filipino fintech company “at the forefront of the local e-payment industry” which recently received a large investment from international e-commerce company Stripe.

MG Philippines sold 2,854 units through the first three quarters of 2020 — with the popular ZS crossover accounting for 56% of sales. The model, “which has climbed to the top of the local five-seater SUV-B segment,” according to the company, has moved 5,000 units since TCCCI took over.

Atty. Arcilla underscored that, despite the pandemic, MG has been able to maintain its business. “We’re very glad that the different markets that opened took advantage right away of the offers we had,” he observed.

From 12 dealerships when TCCCI first came in, MG Philippines now has 28 facilities. “The expanded dealership network ensures that MG sales and aftersales services are readily accessible in more places around the Philippines. Furthermore, the total number of MG dealerships is expected yet again to grow and will total 34 before 2020 comes to a close.”

The executive revealed said that the company has concentrated on the ownership experience during the pandemic. “We know that it is already difficult for (our customers). We want to make sure that they have quick access to us for any of their concerns.”

This is reflected in efforts in aftersales services such as MG Live Chat Support Service (allowing customers to do web-based live chats with an MG consultant), the My MG App for easy PMS scheduling, MG Online Garage for online vehicle consultation and remote vehicle diagnosis over video chat, and MG Mobile Garage home repair service. The services “also address the need to practice safety in the time of this COVID-19 pandemic, by adhering to social distancing recommendations and conducting remote sessions with MG consultants and technicians.”

For information about Chevrolet, visit www.chevrolet.com.ph, like the Chevrolet Philippines Facebook page, or follow the Chevrolet Philippines Instagram page.

The official website of MG Philippines is www.mgmotor.com.ph. Follow MG Philippines on social media: OfficialMGPhilippines (Facebook) and @mg_philippines (Instagram and Twitter). The 24/7 MG Philippines hotline is (02) 5328-4664. Questions may be sent directly using the MG Live Chat Service of the website.

Delbros unit launches vertical farm in Navotas

A UNIT of logistics and agriculture firm Delgado Brothers (Delbros) Group has launched a vertical farm in Navotas City, its tallest such project.

Good Greens & Co. (GGC) said it launched the 300 square-meter farm Saturday. It was built in partnership with the Navotas city government and the Boy Scouts of the Philippines (BSP), and is known as the GGC-BSP Navotas Farm.

The four-story aeroponic farm promises yields of up to double those of the company’s other farms.

Aeroponics does not use soil and instead grows plants in an airy and misty environment with regulated applications of farm inputs.

GGC said the new vertical farm is optimized for tropical conditions and can support vegetable growing all year round, with target output of eight tons of vegetables annually.

GGC President Simon Villalon said the vertical farm provides an opportunity to increase the supply of accessible and affordable vegetables.

“The aim is to produce high-volume harvests that are centrally located in the community,” Mr. Villalon said.

GGC tested its first vertical farm in Taguig and operates other farms in Pampanga, Bacolod, and Parañaque.

The company said it plans to build more vertical farms but provided no details.

Delbros plans to distribute hydroponic equipment as part of a grant to selected schools in Metro Manila.

Hydroponics involves crops grown in nutrient-rich water.

GGC is the vertical farming solutions unit of Delbros Group, which has business interests in real estate, technology, manufacturing, and leasing. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave

Style (10/26/20)

Gymwear and more from Balenciaga

THE NEWEST offering from Balenciaga includes elements of a contemporary active lifestyle. It is a collection of athletic evening wear, niche basics, unbranded statement pieces, and comfortable new ideas. Balenciaga-branded Gymwear, baggy tailored suits, and flare-heeled pumps are put on the same plane, to be worn at once, for any ordinary interaction. Three new sneaker styles are introduced. The Drive, an iteration of the Track, is stripped of any extraneous material, becoming a sleek, flat-soled sneaker. The Zen, inspired in equal parts by the footwear of martial artists and football players, is an all-new line of gym shoes. The Track Sandal reconstructs the chunky-soled sneaker as open-toed, adjusting its comfort levels with Velcro closures and a lighter weight. The Tyrex, introduced in the Summer 20 runway show, weaves athletic components into a dance shoe silhouette, creating an idea outside of either genre. The Tractor Derby, too, circles one classic shape with another. The expected shapes of workwear, party dresses, pea coats, and skirt sets are elongated, deconstructed, twisted, and/or turned upside down, with diagonal seams, uneven hemlines, stacked pockets, and flipped collar details left in place to give the inversions away. Bags, coats, and jackets are designed with sustainability and practicality in mind: the Neo Tote, Trade Tote, Buckle Bag, and the Weekend bottle holder react to a need for transporting the essentials, while centered front pockets on outerwear make phone access easy. In the Philippines, Balenciaga is distributed by Stores Specialists, Inc., and is located at Greenbelt 5. Visit www.ssilife.com.ph or follow @ssilifeph on Instagram for more information.

Eye makeup brand Wosado Beaute launched online

THE EYE makeup brand Wosado Beaute, created by Gianna Zhou, a former Silicon Valley engineer, was officially launched online for the Asia-Pacific market. The core product, Wosado soft magnetic eyelashes, is based on a professional soft magnetic material solution. It allows customers to easily attach eyelash extensions to their upper and lower lashes in only a few minutes. The process is much faster and easier compared to gluing eyelashes on yourself or applying extensions at a salon. It also avoids working with glue. Unlike traditional eyelash extensions which are difficult to apply, clean, and can be harmful to eyes, this product can be easily worn and removed anytime and anywhere.

Ever Organics Ice Jeju Aloe Face Mist

A PRODUCT meant to prep one’s face for makeup is the new Ever Organics Ice Jeju Aloe Face Mist (P198). Packed with aloe leaf extracts, it keeps skin looking fresh, hydrated and glowing. Moreover, it soothes skin from sun damage while its cooling ingredient, the Mesembryanthemum Crystallium (Ice Plant extract), helps fight against skin aging. It is said to be good for dry and sensitive skin. Also available in Aloe Vera Face Mist variant, both face mist variants recently won the “Best Face Mist Category” in the Cosmo Beauty Awards. Both are 100% made in Korea, and are paraben- , alcohol- and cruelty-free products. The two mists are available at all leading supermarkets and Mercury Drugstores nationwide. They’re also available online at Lazada and Shopee. Shop via https://linktr.ee/EverOrganics. Follow Ever Organics on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/EverOrganics).

Bershka launches Mickey Mouse collection

THIS Fall/Winter ‘20, Bershka teams up with Mickey Mouse on a college-inspired collection. All the Mickey Mouse at Bershka pieces nod to classic collegiate wear — with a twist. From the classic varsity jacket with contrast panels and chenille patches to the super-oversized striped polo that can be worn as a dress, from the tartan bomber with Mickey all-over print to the brown oversized cardigan with all-over Mickey logos — this special collection brings that varsity vibe down to the smallest detail. College T-shirts get a 2000s style makeover, making them look like they shrank in the laundry. The color palette focuses on primary colors: red, blue and yellow, but also introduces camel as a key color for this season to break the rhythm and add variety.  Sets are also a key trend this season. The Mickey Mouse at Bershka collection features a mini skirt plus a zipped jumper set with the iconic Mickey logo all-over print, and a tartan light jacket and two-piece trousers. There is also an oversized Mickey shield sweatshirt, a stone washed denim with all-over Mickey logo, and a white graphic hoodie. Footwear is included with hi-top double tone canvas shoes making an appearance together with white canvas sneakers in Mickey Mouse all-over print. Check the complete collection at www.bershka.com/ph and get them in-stores or through Bershka’s Shop from Home service.

Pull&Bear opens a store in Trinoma

PULL&BEAR has reached Northern Metro Manila with the opening of a new store in TriNoma on Oct. 17. Currently it showcases the latest Fall/Winter 2020 collection for women and men. With this new store, the young fashion brand of Inditex group now has three stores in the country — at the Mega Fashion Hall, the Ayala Center Cebu, and TriNoma. The 500-sqm store reflects the young, relaxed and dynamic spirit of Pull&Bear through a space designed to focus all the attention on one main element: clothes. Maximizing product visibility and making the customers’ shopping experience more enjoyable and effective are two central axes of the store’s concept. Meanwhile, the brand celebrates the 80th anniversary of Bugs Bunny through a colorful special collection for men and women done in collaboration with American artist Evan Rossell. The exclusive collection includes relaxed fits, hoodies, T-shirts, trousers and accessories such as socks and mobile phone cases. In each of the products, Rossell has illustrated Bugs Bunny in a different rendition. In addition, Bugs Bunny’s catchphrase “That’s All Folks” appears on a large number of the garments in the collection. Check the complete and latest collection at www.pullandbear.com/ph and get them in-stores or through Pull&Bear’s Shop from Home service.

Gov’t debt yields end flat

YIELDS ON government securities (GS) inched up last week following the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) 10-year bond auction and the slow reopening of the economy.

Bond yields, which move opposite to prices, went up by an average of 2.3 basis points (bps) week on week, based on the PHP Bloomberg Valuation Service Reference Rates as of Oct. 23 published on the Philippine Dealing System’s website.

Rates on benchmark tenors were mixed across the curve. Yields on the short end dropped, with the 91-, 182-, and 364-day papers edging down 6.6 bps, 3 bps, and 0.4 bp, respectively, to 1.124%, 1.571%, and 1.808%.

At the belly, two-, three-, four-, five-, and seven-year notes increased 6.2 bps, 6.6 bps, 6.4 bps, 6.1 bps, and 5.6 bps, respectively, to yield 2.087%, 2.348%, 2.557%, 2.703%, and 2.840%.

Rates on the 10- and 25-year debt went up 5.6 bps and 0.8 bp to 2.929% and 3.917%, while the 20-year bonds slid 1 bp to fetch 3.915%.

“GS yields moved with a slight upward bias [last] week after the FXTN 10-60 was awarded on the high end of market expectations for the auction last Tuesday. This prompted a realignment of the curve at that tenor,” Justin Robert G. Labadan, senior trader at the Philippine Bank of Communications, said in an e-mail interview last week.

“With few surprises in terms of economic data, the supply-demand indicators such as auction results become more significant,” Mr. Labadan said. He was referring to the P30 billion raised by the Bureau of the Treasury from its auction of 10-year debt papers with a remaining life of four years and 10 months on Tuesday that attracted bids amounting to P68.664 billion.

The reissued notes fetched an average yield of 2.782%, down 40 bps from 3.182% fetched when these papers were last auctioned off on June 23, as investors remain liquid and amid market expectations of a benign inflation environment in the coming years.

“As long as economic data remain within expectations, I expect the auctions and other BTr related activities to weigh more on the movements in the coming weeks,” Mr. Labadan said.

Mr. Labadan also noted the gradual reopening of the Philippine economy as the government eased quarantine restrictions in several areas across the country.

“This should theoretically lead to more economic activity, essentially using up more of the excess cash lying around in the system,” he said.

First Metro Asset Management, Inc. (FAMI) said in a separate e-mail that GS yield action last week continued to be marginal as market players remained on the sidelines amid a lack of catalysts.

FAMI said the market is anticipating further easing from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), the BTr’s November borrowing schedule, and the October inflation print in the coming weeks.

“In the meantime, interest will be focused on shorter tenors while the rest of the curve is expected to move range bound…” as “local bond yields might succumb further to upward trend in US Treasury yields,” FAMI said.

Mr. Labadan said external or foreign factors have had little influence on the GS market in recent weeks and the upcoming US elections next month will be “interesting to see the swings in the US Treasury bond yields.”

“I expect yields [this] week to remain range bound as we’re looking at a relatively quiet week in terms of local economic data or even any local bond auctions.” he added. — Jobo E. Hernandez

Investors load up on PXP Energy shares after lifting of exploration ban

PXP ENERGY Corp. (PXP) shares soared last week as investors took positions following the government’s decision to lift the ban on oil and gas exploration in the West Philippine Sea and the company’s confirmation that it was in ongoing negotiations with a Chinese oil company on a joint oil and gas development in the contested waters.

A total of 76.75-million shares worth P830.44 million were exchanged from Oct. 19 to 23, data from the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) showed.

The Manuel V. Pangilinan-led company finished 44.6% higher week on week to P11.16 per share on Friday. Year to date, the stock has risen by 31.3%.

“PXP was among the active stocks [last] week after the suspension on oil exploration was lifted by the government in order to give way for a joint exploration with China to tap the presence of vast gas and oil resources in this area as a possible replacement of the depleting Malampaya [gas field],” Diversified Securities, Inc. Equity Trader Aniceto K. Pangan said in a text message.

“[I]n the short term as it is still under exploration, there is no operation thus [the] basis of its fundamentals are the estimated gas and oil resources available under the Service Contract (SC)… [Meanwhile,] if operations to utilize the resources will materialize, then this will create good growth opportunities for the company going forward,” he added.

President Rodrigo R. Duterte approved on Oct. 15 the Department of Energy’s (DoE) recommendation to lift the ban on exploration activities in the West Philippine Sea. The ban was imposed by the previous administration in 2014 amid escalating tension between the Philippines and China.

The department has sent work resumption notices to the developers of five petroleum prospects within the area. PXP and its subsidiary Forum Energy Ltd., through Forum (GSEC 101) Ltd., were also allowed to resume petroleum-related activities in their respective areas under SC 75 and 72. PXP later on confirmed receiving these “resume-to-work” notices early last week.

The company also confirmed ongoing talks between Forum Energy’s subsidiary Forum (GSEC 101) Ltd. and China National Offshore Oil Corp. regarding the implementation of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the governments of the Philippines and China on joint oil and gas development in the West Philippine Sea with the two parties having yet to finalize any disclosable agreement as of this writing.

Two years ago, Manila and Beijing signed an MoU to pursue petroleum resources in the contested waters, which the DoE estimates to bear as much as seven trillion cubic feet of gas and six billion barrels of oil.

The recent developments have sent the stock’s price climbing to as high as P11.90 per share last week on Thursday before settling at P11.16 per share on Friday. Prior to this, the stock had already gone up by 50% to P7.72 on Oct. 16, the day after Mr. Duterte approved the recommendation to lift the ban.

As of the first half, PXP reported a wider attributable net loss of P44.4 million compared with P7.6 million in the comparable six months of 2019.

“As of now, we may see a consolidation in its movement with a near term support at P10.86 while resistance is at P12,” Diversified Securities’ Mr. Pangan said.

For Unicapital Securities, Inc. Equity Trader Cristopher Adrian T. San Pedro: “[E]xpect it to consolidate between P9.87 support and P11.90 resistance in the short term,” he said in a separate e-mail.

“Though I would strongly advise investors to take profits given everything is already priced in on these levels and the West Philippine Sea oil exploration narrative remains susceptible to political risks,” Mr. San Pedro added.

PXP is a unit of Philex Mining Corp. which in turn is one of the Philippine units of Hong Kong-based First Pacific Co. Ltd, the others being Metro Pacific Investments Corp. and PLDT Inc. Hastings Holdings, Inc., a unit of PLDT Beneficial Trust Fund subsidiary MediaQuest Holdings, Inc., has interest in BusinessWorld through the Philippine Star Group, which it controls. — Ana Olivia A. Tirona

Metro Manila ranks poorly in urban mobility readiness

Metro Manila ranks poorly in urban mobility readiness

How PSEi member stocks performed — October 23, 2020

Here’s a quick glance at how PSEi stocks fared on Friday, October 23, 2020.

Peso likely to rise on fewer virus cases

THE PESO may continue climbing versus the dollar this week as the economy further reopens due to expectations of fewer cases of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the country and strong liquidity.

The local unit closed at P48.48 versus the dollar on Friday, rising by 12 centavos from its P48.60 finish on Thursday, data from the Bankers Association of the Philippines showed.

Week on week, the peso appreciated by 14.5 centavos from its P48.625-per-dollar finish on Oct. 16.

Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. Chief Economist Michael L. Ricafort said the peso rose after the continued decline in COVID-19 cases.

Meanwhile, a trader said the peso was stronger as the United States government was expected to advance talks on a stimulus to combat the impact of COVID-19.

Mr. Ricafort said over the weekend that the peso may continue to strengthen versus the dollar this week as the decreasing trend in coronavirus cases could convince the government to further relax quarantine measures in Metro Manila and nearby areas.

“Major catalysts include any additional measures to further reopen the economy, such as possible relaxation of Metro Manila’s general community quarantine to a modified version as early as November or December,” Mr. Ricafort said in an e-mail.

The government earlier this month allowed persons aged 18 to 65 to leave their homes for non-essential travel. It also shortened curfew hours in Metro Manila cities.

A trader said the local currency will likely rise further as the easing of restrictions could boost business activity.

Mr. Ricafort said other catalysts for the peso this week will include data on domestic loans and the country’s balance of payments.

For this week, Mr. Ricafort sees the peso moving from P48.35 to P48.60 versus the dollar, while the trader expects it to range from P48.40 to P48.60. — KKTJ

Profit taking expected after last week’s rally

By Denise A. Valdez, Senior Reporter

THE MAIN INDEX may start declining this week after five straight days of increases that brought it to 6,484.06 on Friday.

The benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) gained 139.43 points or 2.19% in the last trading session, maintaining a weeklong climb that raised the index by 585.59 points or 10% on a weekly basis.

Value turnover grew 54% to an average of P8.5 billion. Foreign investors became net sellers, posting an average net inflow of P4.12 million from the prior week’s average net outflow of P726.6 million.

“The local market staged a strong rally which brought it up by 9.93% week-on-week. With the quick surge however, the local bourse is now at the overbought territory making it susceptible to profit taking. Thus, we may see a pull back in this week’s trading,” Philstocks Financial, Inc. Senior Research Analyst Japhet Louis O. Tantiangco said in a text message.

Prospects of economic recovery backed by the easing of several quarantine rules and the start of the release of third quarter earnings reports helped lift the market last week. The PSEi marked its best week since June after breaking through the 6,000 level.

While this week is expected to see some profit taking, Mr. Tantiangco said the PSEi is still likely to hold its ground at the 6,000-6,100 support range due to sustained optimism for the fourth quarter.

Specific catalysts for this week’s trading will be the earnings reports of BDO Unibank, Inc.; Manila Electric Co.; and Puregold Price Club, Inc.,  online brokerage 2TradeAsia.com said.

“(They) would set the tone for trades, not only for their size (~P900 billion in market cap, 10.7% of PSEi basket) and contribution to their parent companies, but also as proxies for their respective industries, being sector leaders,” it said in a market note.

“A critical price gap between 6,000 and 6,750 made during the collapse last March will be the next hurdle. This is mostly likely to be the next resistance, especially as the index attempts to find stabler footing above 6,000,” 2TradeAsia.com said.

As for downside risks, Mr. Tantiangco of Philstocks said investors would be watching the coronavirus case count. Any spike due to the relaxation of quarantine rules may cause investors to worry.

The Health department reported 2,057 new coronavirus cases on Saturday, resulting in a total case count of 367,819.

Another factor that may pull the local market lower is any negative news on ongoing talks for a US fiscal stimulus, as it may weigh on Wall Street and thus spillover to the PSEi, Mr. Tantiangco said.

Philstocks is putting the market’s support within 6,000-6,100 and resistance at 6,600. 2TradeAsia.com put immediate support at 6,000 and resistance between 6,500 and 6,750.

Duterte urged to set De Lima free after favorable testimony

MINORITY senators on Sunday urged the government of President Rodrigo R. Duterte to release an opposition lawmaker critical of his deadly war on drugs after an expert witness said there was no evidence linking her to the illegal narcotics trade.

“The fraudulently concocted evidence against Senator Leila de Lima is crumbling,” Senators Franklin M. Drilon, Risa N. Hontiveros-Baraquel and Francis N. Pangilinan said in a statement on Sunday.

“This will pave the way for her eventual exoneration and long-deserved freedom,” they added.

In an Oct. 23 hearing, a digital forensic examiner from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency reportedly testified that there was no evidence from extraction reports linking Ms. de Lima to the illegal drug trade.

Ms. de Lima is on trial for allegedly abetting the illegal drug trade in the country’s jails when she was still Justice secretary. She was accused of extorting millions of pesos from a drug lord that she allegedly used to finance her senatorial campaign in 2016.

She has been jailed at the Philippine National Police Custodial Center in Camp Crame since February 2017. Several witnesses against Ms. de Lima were drug convicts serving time at the national penitentiary in Muntinlupa City.

The European Union (EU) Parliament earlier adopted a resolution urging the Philippines to free Ms. Lima and look at extrajudicial killings in Mr. Duterte’s anti-drug campaign. The EU lawmakers also asked the European Commission to revoke tax perks enjoyed by the country if the state fails to address human rights violations.

An Anti-Money Laundering Council investigator also said investigations found no money flowed from the bank accounts of the senator and her co-accused.

“With these statements made in court under oath, the credibility of these two agencies is at stake, thus, their representatives had no reason not to tell the truth,” the minority senators said. “Senator de Lima’s accusers are merely clutching at straws in a desperate attempt to pin her down for a crime she did not commit.”

The Committee for the Freedom of Leila M. de Lima on Saturday also urged the government to allow her to post bail and drop the drug charges.

A local human rights group made a similar call. “Clearly, the charges against Senator Leila de Lima are baseless and fabricated by those who want to silence her voice and let lies and tyranny reign in the country,” Christina Palabay, human rights group Kaparatan secretary-general said in a Messenger chat.

“Especially with these statements by prosecution witnesses, she should be released now,” she added.

Party-list Rep. Carlos Isagani T. Zarate said the Duterte government has used the law to harass critics like Ms. de Lima and other political prisoners. 

“This continuing weaponization of the law and legal processes by the Duterte administration against its critics and the opposition should be condemned,” he said in a statement on Sunday.

Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador S. Panelo said minority senators should let the courts decide on Ms. de Lima’s fate.

“Let the law take its course,” he said in a Viber message on Sunday. “Let the court do its job. Let the rule of law prevail.”

The senator earlier asked the court to let her post bail since the prosecution had failed to prove her alleged drug transactions by omitting details of the crime such as the specific drugs involved, the buyers and sellers and the place where the trade took place. — Charmaine A. Tadalan, Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza and Gillian M. Cortez

Coronavirus cases top 370,000 as deaths near 7,000

THE DEPARTMENT of Health (DoH) reported 2,223 coronavirus infections on Sunday, bringing the total to 370,028.

The death toll rose by 43 to 6,977, while recoveries increased by 14,944 to 328,036, it said in a bulletin.

There were 35,015 active cases, 82% of which were mild, 11.3% did not show symptoms, 2.4% were severe and 4.2% were critical.

Of the new cases, 112 came from Quezon City, 111 from Laguna, 109 from Rizal, 79 from Cavite and 74 from Batangas, the agency said.

Metro Manila had the highest number of new deaths with 16, followed by the Calabarzon region with eight, Caraga with four, and Central Luzon and Soccsksargen with three deaths each.

The Ilocos region and Zamboanga Peninsula reported two deaths each, while the Bicol region, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Northern Mindanao and Davao region reported one death each.

More than 4.3 million people have been tested for the coronavirus, DoH said.

Last week, Health authorities said DoH was P10.5 billion short of funds for coronavirus vaccines to cover a fifth of the Philippines’ more than 100 million population once they become available.

The agency needs more than P12 billion to inoculate priority groups including health workers and the poor, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario S. Vergeire told an online news briefing last week.

It only had allotted P2.5 billion for vaccines in its P204-billion budget for next year. The cost considered two doses for each person, she said.

President Rodrigo R. Duterte earlier said the Philippines has funds to buy coronavirus vaccines but it needs more so the entire population of more than 100 million could be inoculated.

He said he would look for more funds so all Filipinos could be vaccinated, adding that he was okay with vaccines developed either by Russia or China.

Marikina Rep. Stella Luz A. Quimbo at the weekend said vaccinating 20 million Filipinos would cost almost P13 billion. She added that the budget was only enough to cover 3.9 million Filipinos at a testing price of P641 each. — Vann Marlo M. Villegas

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